Zimbabweans

1 • INTRODUCTION

Zimbabwe is known for its rich tradition of stone sculpture and for its
natural tourist attractions such as the Great Zimbabwe Falls and
Victoria Falls. It was a British colony known as Rhodesia from 1896
until 1980. Before the British arrived, the country was made up of a
number of separate kingdoms. The earliest people to inhabit the country
were the San, sometimes called the Qoisan or Khoisan. They are also
sometimes called "Bushmen," but this is an insulting name
that was given to them by outsiders.

After the San, the Shona arrived. They built stone walls in the region
around 1200
AD
. The best-known of these walls survive today as the remains of two
cities, Great Zimbabwe and Khami. The city of Great Zimbabwe prospered
until the fifteenth century, and gave modern Zimbabwe its name.

2 • LOCATION

Zimbabwe is in southern Africa. In 1992, the country's population
was 10.4 million. Of these, 98 percent were African, and about 2 percent
were European, Asian, and mixed-race. People of mixed race are sometimes
called "colored persons."

Most of the good farm land is owned by the former European colonists
(whites). Africans (blacks) cultivate poorer, overcrowded land. The
industries in cities and towns are also mostly controlled by Europeans,
Asians, and people of mixed race. Among Africans, those who live and
work in the city are better off economically than those who live in the
countryside.

3 • LANGUAGE

The African population of Zimbabwe is made up of at least ten ethnic
groups, each speaking a different language. The two largest are the
Shona and Ndebele. The Shona people make up about 60 percent of the
population. They are well known for their skill in working with iron,
gold, and copper. The Ndebele people, recognized for their skill as
military strategists before the arrival of the British, make up about 20
percent of the population. Most people speak at least two languages,
including one of the three official languages: chiShona, isiNdebele, and
English.

Even though there are many different groups, certain cultural practices
or customs unite all Zimbabweans. One of the greatest experiences shared
by all these groups was the war for independence. In 1980, the nation of
Zimbabwe was born when the people won independence from the British.

4 • FOLKLORE

Each ethnic group has its own heroes and heroines, legends, and myths.
These stories record a group's origins, traditions, and history.
Some of the ethnic heroes, such as Mbuya Nehanda, Kaguvi, and Lobengula,
have become national symbols.

5 • RELIGION

History has altered traditional African life. Because of colonization,
most Zimbabwean families live in two worlds: the African and the
European (or Western). However, in their daily lives, Zimbabweans blend
these two. So, while ancestor worship is the most common religious
practice, Christianity and Islam are also observed. In fact, about 75
percent of the population observes either Christianity or Islam.

6 • MAJOR HOLIDAYS

A dozen public holidays are observed nationally. The most important
national holidays are Independence Day (April 18), Heroes' Day
(August 11), Workers' Day (May 1), Defense Forces' Day
(August 12), and Africa Day (May 25). There are others that are observed
by religious groups such as Muslims (followers of Islam) and Christians.
There are no indigenous African holidays, but families may have special
days in the year on which they remember their relatives who have died.

7 • RITES OF PASSAGE

Most of the traditional rites of passage are being replaced with Western
ones, such as Christian baptism and birthday parties. The old
celebrations of birth and entry into adolescence have almost ended. A
few groups still observe them, however; one such group is the amaFengu.
They practice adolescent male circumcision in public to announce
boys' graduation to manhood.

Marriage and burial are still conducted traditionally in many areas.
Marriage is still a symbol of graduation into adulthood. Death and
burial mark a person's passage into the world of the
"living dead," that is, ancestors.

8 • RELATIONSHIPS

Each Zimbabwean ethnic group has its own greetings and visiting customs.
In some groups elders begin greetings, while in others someone younger
does. Some groups shake hands and some do not. Bowing one's head,
and bending one's knees in a bow are followed by some groups but
not others. Whenever a person visits another's home, the visitor
has to humble himself or herself before the hostess or host. Gestures,
including facial expressions, are also an important aspect of greetings.

Dating has been affected by European contact. Traditionally, most people
will not date a stranger. To do so is thought to bring bad luck to a
relationship. Another explanation is that people who do not know each
other's family histories risk being involved in a relationship
with a relative. However, these beliefs are changing today. Most young
people meet and date in schools, colleges, and universities without
meeting each other's family.

9 • LIVING CONDITIONS

Not all Zimbabweans enjoy the same living conditions. Most rural
families do not have tap water. Most of the roads in the rural areas are
not well paved. Some rural areas are not served by any modern form of
transportation. This situation worsens during the rainy season.

The whole country has inadequate health care, but the rural population
is hardest hit. Some communities do not regularly have the services of a
fully trained nurse, let alone a doctor. Medicines are always in short
supply. Some of the most common diseases are malaria, bilharzia,
sexually transmitted diseases, tetanus, cholera, polio, and typhoid.

In both the city and the country, there are local differences in the
standard of living. In the city, the differences are based on a
person's race, gender, and social and economic class. People of
European origin, Asians, and people of mixed race enjoy the best
standard of living. They are followed by upper class blacks, including
business owners and intellectuals.

In cities, women are in the worst situation. They face employment
discrimination and other sexist practices. In the country, some families
are wealthier than others because of support from their children who
work in the city. Others earn money from jobs such as teaching.

10 • FAMILY LIFE

The family is the foundation of Zimbabwean society. Marriage is an
important rite of passage and a sacred practice. Through marriages the
living are connected with their ancestors. Gender roles are defined
within the family.

Most ethnic groups have patriarchal (male-headed) families. In these,
women play a subordinate role. They are expected to serve their
husbands, work for them, and bear them children. However, women do have
certain rights.

A typical family today is made up of a husband and wife and at least two
children. Traditional families are big, including five or more children,
plus grandparents and the children of relatives. Some men have more than
one wife. It is not unusual to find a man with ten wives.

Zimbabwean families, especially in the rural parts of the country, keep
animals. Most animals are not just pets but serve other purposes. For
instance, cats are kept to kill pests such as mice and rats. Dogs are
used for protection and for hunting.

11 • CLOTHING

Modern, Western-style clothing is the usual outfit in Zimbabwe. There
are very few people who wear traditional clothes on a regular basis.
Traditional dress include a headdress, a wraparound cloth, and ornaments
such as earrings, necklaces, and bracelets. This is usually seen on
ceremonial and state occasions such as Independence Day and
Heroes' Day.

Recipe

Sadze (Dumpling)

Ingredients

2 pound of white corn meal or millet flour

Water

Directions

Boil 4½ cups of water in a heavy saucepan.

Mix half the flour with enough water to form a paste.

Add this paste to the boiling water. Stir vigorously with a wooden
spoon to break up the lumps.

Heat the mixture until it boils. Simmer, stirring constantly, for
about 5 minutes.

Slowly stir in the remaining flour, stirring constantly. It will
become difficult to stir, but it is important to stir constantly.

Reduce the heat and continue cooking for about 5 more minutes.

To serve, wet a small bowl with cold water. Spoon some sadza into the
bowl and roll it around until it forms a ball.

12 • FOOD

Zimbabwe's staple, or basic, food is called
sadza.
It is made of cornmeal and eaten with vegetables or meat (particularly
beef and chicken). A recipe for sadza follows. Other traditional foods
are milk, wild fruits, rice, green maize (corn on the cob), cucumbers,
peanuts, beans, and home-brewed beer.

Since colonization, Zimbabweans have adopted some foods introduced by
Europeans,
especially sugar, bread, and tea. Most families usually have at least
three meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. For breakfast people may eat
porridge made of cornmeal or oatmeal, cereal, or bread and tea.

For lunch, people usually have
sadza
. A similar meal might be eaten for dinner. However, foreign foods such
as macaroni and cheese and mashed potatoes are now part of the staple
diet. In cities, workers get lunch and sometimes dinner from restaurants
or take-out food stores.

There are taboos (restrictions) associated with certain types of foods.
In some cultures, certain foods are eaten only when they are in season.
For instance, the amaN-debele discourage the eating of corn on the cob
outside its season. Most ethnic groups also discourage people from
eating animal, plant, or other form of food that has their family name.
For instance, if one's family name is Nkomo (meaning
"cattle," "cows," or "oxen"),
one is not supposed to eat beef. Young children are discouraged from
eating eggs. When a woman is menstruating, she is not supposed to drink
milk because it is believed that doing so might harm cows and calves.

13 • EDUCATION

Zimbabwe is one of the very fortunate countries in southern Africa to
have basic education, especially for young people. While there are still
some people who cannot read or write, most people have at least three
years of elementary education. Education is seen as valuable since it
can be the way to a good job. Parents are usually willing to spend money
on the education of their children as an investment in the future.
Children are a form of social security system; they are expected to look
after their parents in old age.

The national adult literacy rate (the percentage of adults that can read
and write) has been increasing since the early 1980s. Over three-fourths
of all Zimbabweans are literate. The rate is higher—over 90
percent—in cities and towns. In rural areas, only about 70
percent of all people are literate. Everywhere, more men than women can
read and write, and more men than women complete higher education
levels.

University or college education brings pride to a family. Most Africans
in the country believe in educating sons rather than daughters; when
daughters marry, they take their family's resources to another
family.

14 • CULTURAL HERITAGE

Zimbabwe has a very rich artistic tradition, including music, dance,
fine arts and crafts, and literature. Traditionally, Africans passed on
knowledge through music and dance. Music and dance were part of
ceremonies and rites of passage; in many places, they still are. Culture
is still passed on through praise songs (equivalent to poems), stories,
and proverbs.

15 • EMPLOYMENT

Traditionally, work is divided along gender lines. Most domestic work,
such as cooking, brewing, and housekeeping, is performed by women. Men
work outside the home tending cattle, hunting, and cultivating land.
However, women also participate in farming. They usually do jobs that
are considered
"light," such as planting and cultivation.

These roles are changing, however. Men help with some of the roles that
were once set aside for women, and women and girls now herd and milk
cattle. The colonial government did not allow women, especially black
women, to work outside the home. Despite these constraints, women found
their way into cities to seek work. The independent government abolished
labor discrimination against women. As a result, the number of women
working in factories, corporate offices, and government positions
increased. There is still much to be done, however, for women—as
well as the dis abled—to improve their situation.

16 • SPORTS

The country's national sport is soccer. The Zimbabwe national
soccer team is one of the rising soccer powerhouses in Africa. The team
plays in the African Cup and World Cup competitions. There are even some
Zimbabweans who play on European soccer teams, especially in Great
Britain, Germany, and Belgium.

Other sports are track and field, golf, cricket, rugby, wrestling,
boxing, netball (women's), tennis, and horse racing. Sports in
Zimbabwe are organized and supported along racial lines. Soccer, boxing,
wrestling, and track and field are popular among Africans. Europeans
prefer golf, cricket, rugby, tennis, and horse racing. But people from
either group can cross over to other sports that are not common in their
community.

Before colonization, people played traditional games such as
hide-and-seek. While herding cattle, boys often ran races or climbed
upon and rode small bulls. They also played a type of stone game called
intsoro
or
tsoro.
Girls also had their own games such as
nhoda,
also a stone game.

17 • RECREATION

Traditional forms of entertainment such as drinking, singing, and
dancing have continued into modern society. Traditional ceremonies,
state events, and rites of passage also serve as entertainment.

Children have their own forms of entertainment and hobbies. They watch
television and listen to "top forty" radio. Most of the
television programs, videotapes, and films come from Great Britain and
the United States. As a result, young people dress like musicians and
actors from these two countries and try to imitate their lifestyles.
They also listen to local and regional pop artists, especially those
from South Africa and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Some of the
local well-known musicians are Dorothy Masuka, Thomas Mapfumo, Lovemore
Majaivana, the Bhundu Boys, and Andy Brown and Storm.

Two films known all over the world have come from Zimbabwe. One is
Neria,
a story about a woman whose property is about to be taken away from her
by the relatives of her dead husband. The other is
Jit,
a romantic comedy about a young man who is torn between Western life
and his ancestors.

18 • CRAFTS AND HOBBIES

Zimbabwe is well known for its folk arts, particularly stone sculpture
and wood carving. Stone sculpture is a tradition of the Shona people.
Mat making and related arts and crafts are popular among the Ndebele,
Kalanga, and Nambya people.

Before British colonization, Zimbabweans made weapons, hoes, and other
tools for their own use. Wild cotton and wild bark were used to weave
mats, dresses, beehives, food containers, and water coolers. Baskets,
storage containers, chairs, fish traps, carpets, and sleeping mats are
still made from cane, reed, grass, sisal, and similar materials. They
are made both for personal use and for sale.

19 • SOCIAL PROBLEMS

In spite of the gains that Zimbabwe has made building a democratic
society, much remains to be done. Soon after independence in the early
1980s, there was political instability in the southwestern part of the
country. The government claimed it was caused by some political rebels.
Government troops killed many civilians and violated other
people's human rights in the region while trying to deal with the
situation. This continued until 1988. It is estimated that more than
5,000 people were killed.

Another area of concern is the treatment of women. The present
government has treated women improperly and arrested some women that it
claimed were prostitutes. It has also taken away some of the gains that
women had made since independence. Some of the laws that helped women
gain some power and confidence are likely to be repealed, or taken away.
One such law, the Legal Age of Majority Act, gave women the right to
marry whomever they wanted, with or without their parents'
approval.

Basic information is generally correct, however there is so much information that has been left out. As a Zimbabwean, currently living in Zimbabwe, I am quite saddened to see that there is very little information generally availble on the internet, about Zimbabwe, that does not involve politics, or that says more about the people, cultural and artistic practices of the country. As much as it may be the news 'de jour' (for the past 10 years!), the essential beauty, art, passion joy and respect for life that your average Zimbabwean exhibits and feels on a daily basis is hardly ever conveyed. Is it not time to start taking note of the fact that we may be living in one the most dire economic environments, globally, yet we still find it within ourselves to smile and show our appreciation for life through celebrating our art, in all it's forms, our culture...our people, and the fact that we did not all turn into a band of raving lunatics, destroying the very thing we fought for in the beginning? But are instead resolute in finding alternative means, to chaos and mayhem, to realise our dream and right to independence.

Having clearly stated that the "Present day Zimbabwe" is nothing but a remnant of a border created by the British, you did not educate your readers that after "Independece", the question of seperating the Nation States still remains.

Zimbabwe is North of Mnyathi River, and the South is called Mthwakazi from before colonialism.

That also will make people understand that while in the North (ZImbabwe, they call their staple food SAZA, we in the South call it ISITSHWALA or NSHIMA (Tonga), BUHOBE, HADZA,etc.

When your name is Nkomo it doesnt mean you dont eat beef. The totem is Ndebelesied from the Karanga/Kalanga totem Moyo Chirandu (the Duma clan) and what they dont eat is the the heart not beef. And also people could marry strangers easily as long as he has told them his totem people usually could trace him through totem and name. There has never been restrictions on who to marry except for someone who has your totem or your mother's totem. Even then when people did decide to marry then a ceremony had to be carried out before the marriage

i would like to know about the national dress for zimbabweans and how the following people dress; chiefs' headman age regiments, married and single males and females, children. how the zimbabweans wear on diffferent occasions such as funerals, weddings and ritual ceremonies and what is the significance of the above mentioned dress.

There is so much about Zimbabwe. I wanted to do a research on Zimbabwean youths concentrating on their social activities, places that they hang out but I could not find anything of that sort. More information on that would really help other youths from out there who would like to know how life in general for youths in Zimbabwe is like.